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Effects of an Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Time in Disadvantaged Children: Randomized Trial
Author(s) -
Bernal Caroline,
Lhuisset Lena,
Bru Noëlle,
Fabre Nicolas,
Bois Julien
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.13022
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , physical activity , physical therapy , medicine , gerontology , psychology , nursing , surgery , political science , law
BACKGROUND In our society, children are particularly vulnerable to physical inactivity and excessive sedentary time (ST). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school‐based intervention designed to promote physical activity (PA) and reduce ST in 6‐ to 10‐years‐old children from a disadvantaged neighborhood. METHODS The first intervention of this randomized trial was carried out in School 1 in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, School 2 benefited from the same intervention in 2018/2019. Baseline assessments were realized using accelerometers prior to the intervention (T1‐T2), after the first intervention (T3) and after the second intervention (T4). School‐based actions targeted children, parents, teachers, physical, and organizational environment of school and politics. The chi‐square test of independence was used to analyze the evolution of the moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and ST. RESULTS For School 1, an increase in the percentage of very active children (over 40 minutes MVPA/day) and of having a very low ST (less 240 minutes/day) (p = .00) was found. No further evolution was revealed during the intervention (T2‐T3) and 1 year after (T3‐T4). For School 2, similar effects on PA and ST were found at T3 (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Positive effects occurred before the intervention in each school and then remained stable.